Democrats Flip Congress in Stunning Midterm Sweep as L.A. Mayor’s Race Goes Down to the Wire

Democrats delivered a stunning blow to President Donald Trump in Tuesday’s midterm elections, winning control of both chambers of Congress and pulling off historic upsets in traditionally Republican states.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced a surprisingly tight re-election battle against City Councilmember Nithya Raman. At this point, the race belongs to either candidate.

Los Angeles Magazine attended several election events, including Bass getting support from the L. A County Federation of Labor, where they chanted “Four More Years.” Raman told supporters at the Greek on District 4 that she wants to “build a Los Angeles where the values you teach me are embedded into the fabric of this big, beautiful, complicated city.”

As of Wednesday morning, the mayoral race remains too close to call. Early returns showed Bass ahead before Raman slightly jumped ahead overnight. According to NBC Los Angeles⁠, Raman held approximately 51% of the vote to Bass’ 49%, with roughly 62% of the expected vote counted.

Credit: Taylor Parise

In the race for Los Angeles city attorney, Marissa Roy held a commanding lead over John McKinney, capturing approximately 66% of the vote compared with McKinney’s 34%. The race had not yet been called. Los Angeles voters also appear to support a half-cent sales tax increase that would raise about $345 million a year for the LAFD; early results show 53.5% voting yes.

California’s gubernatorial race, however, was decided. Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton, according to the Associated Press⁠, and will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. This was called early around 8 p.m. PST.

The Democrats stunningly flipped the U.S. House and seized control of the Senate, handing Trump a major political blow halfway through his second term.

One of the night’s biggest shocks came in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race, ending a nearly four-decade drought for Democrats in the Republican stronghold. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the House in over 30 years.

The surprises didn’t stop there. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, becoming Texas’ first Latina governor.

Democrats also flipped Senate seats in Kansas, South Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Maine and North Carolina, according to AP’s election coverage⁠.

The major victories give Democrats new power to block Trump’s legislative agenda, challenge his administration and launch congressional investigations.

Back in Los Angeles, however, the political suspense continues. With ballots still being counted, the nation’s second-largest city could see a major political shakeup of its own.

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